One in four young people in Kosovo not employed

Executive Director of Development Democracy (D4D) Rezarta Krasniqi explained the way this research is implemented.

She, she said, is the second time Kosovo is set as part of this index.

To do as well as research, we've arranged wave meetings with different professors and experts in this regard. So it's the second time that Kosovo is set up as part of the youth participation index, where 25 indicators who are regional indicators and become a measurement of different institutions with this data, we've achieved that as Kosovo we collect 21 indicators that are very solid in this direction and show us very well what the challenges of young people to be oriented in public politics and how to be well informed in this regard. We have worked and contributed to regional research of young people in this direction so that we can have comparable data. So in addition to collecting data from the country where we aim to promote public policies, we have collected data to compare where we stand with the region in this regard. So this has contributed greatly to transparency, comparison and also very well to the regional co-operation of organisations, but young people in this regard as well.

A very important element of the whole process has been the inclusion of different acts in this direction or parties of interest, and also has been a critical issue of the high level of youth in NEET (young people who are not in work, education or training). We have also launched a call that we have supported 5 organisations in this direction to strengthen the ecosystem of civil society and increase credibility at the local level in this direction. But to select the 5 organisations that we have supported, we have had a call and a very large will of many organisations where we have had up to 31 applications in this area, which shows a very high interest in organisations working with young people at the local level and we have seen young people still have high interest in engaging in activities outside the currcular system that they already have, Krasniqi said.

The deputy chief of co-operation by the European Union Office in Kosovo, Alessandro Bianciard, spoke of the importance of youth participation, adding that young people are still under-represented in political life and often face obstacles to access to quality education and employment.

I'm here today to reflect on an issue that is essential to Europe's future, which is youth participation. Throughout the continent, efforts to empower young people are guided by the EU Strategy for Youth 20195027, which promotes engagement, connection and empowerment within the European Union and partner regions. This is especially important in Kosovo, which is home to one of the newest populations in Europe. This demographic reality carries big promises, but it also highlights obstacles that still limit many young people's ability to participate fully in society. Recent findings from the Youth Participation Index show a mixed picture. While some progress has been made, attendance remains uneven. Young people are still under-represented in political life and often face obstacles to access to quality education and employment. Combined with the constant risk of poverty, these factors significantly limit their ability to engage and contribute. Economic exclusion is a major part of this reality. High unemployment rates for young people and the number of those who are not employed, education or training continue to narrow available opportunities for them”, he said.

Minister of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Sylejman Elshani said the index provides a mirror for the level of youth involvement in various fields.

“The index of youth participation represents an important analytical instrument, which through a standardized methodology and clear indicators, provides a insight into the level of youth involvement in the political, economic and social dimension. This index serves as a powerful basis for assessing progress, identifying challenges and orientation of policies towards the real needs of young people. The data and findings presented today are essential to better understand the position of young people in our society and to undertake comprehensive, sustainable and effective policies. In this direction, co-operation between institutions, civil society organisations and international partners remains key to advancing youth agenda”, he said.

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